Ghusal of Mayyit

What should be done with a Muslim who passes away in a crash with severed limbs?

Question:

What is the ruling with regards to ghusl when a Muslim is recovered from a crash with severed limbs?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Except for a few cases, a deceased Muslim is generally due:

1) Taghsīl (A ritual bath)

2) Takfīn (Shrouding in a specific manner)

3) Salāh (Prayer for the deceased)

4) Tadfīn (Burial in a specific manner)

A Muslim who passes away with his body intact will be privileged with the above four rights.

However, if a Muslim passed away in a manner which left his body severed into pieces, the ruling with regards to the above rights will depend according to what and how much of the body is recovered. The scenarios can be:

1) Recovery of a limb

For example, discovery of a head or a leg or a hand.

In such a scenario, the limb will not be required to have Taghsīl, Takfīn, ṣalāh or Tadfīn. The limb should be simply wrapped in a cloth and buried in the ground.

2) Recovery of a few limbs

For example, a head and legs are recovered, or hands and legs are recovered only.

In such a scenario, one will have to analyse and judge whether what is recovered is equivalent to more than half of the body. If what is found can be regarded as more than half of the body, then these body parts will be due Taghsīl, Takfīn, ṣalāh and Tadfīn.

However, if the recovered limbs are considered to be half of the body or less than half, they will not be due any of the above. The limbs will be simply wrapped in a cloth and buried.

3) Recovery of half of the body without a head

In such a scenario, the limbs will not be required to have Taghsīl, Takfīn, ṣalāh or Tadfīn. The limbs should be simply wrapped in a cloth and buried in the ground.

4) Recovery of half of the body with the head

In such a scenario, these body parts will be due Taghsīl, Takfīn, ṣalāh and Tadfīn.

5) Recovery of most of the body except the head

In such a scenario, these body parts will be due Taghsīl, Takfīn, ṣalāh and Tadfīn.